Comment

Comment by Daniel Walter on January 20, 2020 at 8:43am

I cheat dave. Take some of those thick green rubber bands stew mac and others sell, cut it to fit tight and super glue it. then, after cutting my circle, i fold it in half, and use a leather punch to cut hols. then fold it the other way, cot hols, keep folding, keep punching. the rawhide is tough, i soak the rawhide "strings" too. then i place it over the drum head, or whatever, and use the rubber band to get it flat, then start stiching. Usually from the same setup on the other side. Soaking overnight is not necessary but helps. you can get great rope by cutting a piece of rawhide in a continuous circle. TMI. 

Comment by Dave Lynas on October 30, 2019 at 1:13pm

Thanks Rev. I do like my dumpster joke. I like my long list of youtube videos, don’t know why I’d put out the money for a record. I’m doing it for fun. I think it’s wonderful we can do this stuff independent of studio fees and production costs. Nation puts our work out for me. Shane got things rolling and now it cooks along. 
Ever stretched a head? It is fun and magical. You don’t need to soak the hide overnight Daniel. About 10 to 20 minutes is just right. I’ve found the hide gets very soft with a long soak. It can rip easy if too soft. It takes a long time to shrink to tight drum tension. Magic to thump it every hour or so and hear the progress. Overnight is reaches it’s full stretch. Your drum head will work great Rev. Have fun!

Comment by Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans on October 30, 2019 at 11:06am

Dave - I think you just came up the name of your next album!  (And DO go with an LP vs CD or mp3 files - - more space for your awesome artwork!)

Daniel - sounds like a great plan!  ...For a future build!  My first banjo-effort will use this drum as-is; it's a REMO 'skin'.

Comment by Daniel Walter on October 30, 2019 at 10:58am

"Just a banjo thrown in the dumpster of life". well said, Dave. Move over, my legs are cramped.

Rev Bluejeans, try rawhide. Soaking it overnight and stretching it is exciting. Lots of ways to stretch while it drys. Dave posted a good one a while back. I used the old fashioned method they used to Make African drums, but cheated. Big rubber band.

Comment by Dave Lynas on October 30, 2019 at 10:26am

Thanks Rev. I’m just a banjo thrown in the dumpster of life. In good company, there’s a lot of accordions in here!

Comment by Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans on October 29, 2019 at 1:27pm

Nice, Dave!  I might be able to learn that one!  I bought a skin-drum on amazon, but it's synthetic.  My intent is to build a similar banjo to yours.  Great sound!

Comment by Dave Lynas on October 29, 2019 at 1:24pm

Thanks wah wah Danny. I’ve been wah wah waltzing with bears.

Comment by Dave Lynas on October 29, 2019 at 1:23pm

Thanks Ambrose. I’m finding some melodies lend themselves to the diddle. Shortnin Bread is one. 

Comment by Dave Lynas on October 29, 2019 at 1:20pm

I’m plucking just above the skin on the neck Daniel. I have a good hold on the rim of the banjo.

Comment by Dave Lynas on October 29, 2019 at 1:18pm

My title says it Uncle. Nun ya! Nada, been years. It’s like I just woke up and remembered.

Thanks Jim. I finally got some nylons. I like the soft sound. I love your new tin fiddle.

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